CM Siddaramaiah, Rahul have share in excise scam proceeds, alleges Ashoka

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Feb 13, 2026: Leader of Opposition R Ashoka on Thursday alleged that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was maintaining silence over the alleged excise bribery scam because he was benefiting from it.

Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Ashoka claimed that despite the BJP’s demand for a probe into irregularities in the Excise department, the Congress government had failed to order an investigation and was instead attempting a cover-up. “It is clear that Siddaramaiah is getting a share in the bribe and Rahul Gandhi is receiving the money, as the department has become an ATM for the Congress party. That explains the Chief Minister’s silence,” he charged. He added that the BJP would continue its protests both inside and outside the Assembly.

Ashoka described the Siddaramaiah-led administration as a “pauper government,” alleging that it lacked funds even to procure essential medicines for government hospitals.

Medicine shortage

Highlighting the issue of medicine shortages, Ashoka claimed that only 168 of the 800 essential medicines were currently available in government hospitals, leaving nearly 80 per cent out of stock. “There is no antidote for snake bites or dog bites, no painkillers, and not even bandages for wounds. Doctors are prescribing medicines to be purchased from outside,” he said, adding that he had raised the matter during the recent legislature session.

He criticised Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, stating that the minister had earlier assured the House that tenders had been floated and stocks would soon be replenished. “Now he says tenders will be finalised only in March-April. Should people suffer without medicines until May or June?” Ashoka asked.

The BJP leader further alleged that surgeries had been cancelled in some hospitals due to a shortage of IV fluids and life-saving drugs. He claimed that districts such as Raichur and Kalaburagi were purchasing medicines on credit. “I suspect that a 30 per cent cut in health allocations in the previous budget, due to the five guarantees, is responsible. The government is focusing only on excise and commission-earning departments while neglecting public welfare,” he alleged.

Ashoka also termed the proposed foreign tour of Congress MLAs to Australia and New Zealand a “junket for political lobbying” rather than a genuine study tour.